A Tale of India

Paa

Amitabh Bachchan has acted in films with his son Abhishek before. But in R. Balakrishnan’s odd and sometimes oddly affecting Hindi movie “Paa,” the son plays father to the father.

Amitabh is Auro, a 12-year-old with progeria, a rare disease in which the body ages too quickly. (A note at the beginning assures us that the movie “exhibits great sensitivity” about progeria.) He’s also the son of a single mom (Vidya Balan), who never let her boyfriend, Amol (Abhishek), now India’s “youngest, brightest, coolest” M.P., know that she had his child.

An American movie would probably make much of Auro’s disease, its progression and social stigma. Not “Paa.” Mr. Balakrishnan focuses on fathers and sons, and on the great project that is India, itself simultaneously young and ancient.

Of course Amol comes to learn that Auro is his son (Bollywood loves a tale of parentage found), but he also battles corruption (“the biggest disease facing the nation”), helps slum dwellers and finds ways to triumph over the cynical media.

Abhishek Bachchan keeps the movie anchored, bringing his own bright cool to this heroic hero. A barely recognizable Amitabh — with a veiny, bulbous pate; rotting teeth; and slope-shouldered gait — seems to be enjoying himself, even if his Auro is more holy fool than 12-year-old. It’s stunt acting and frequently more creepy than moving, but it also gives “Paa” it’s weird I’m-my-own-grandpa charge.

PAA

Opens on Friday nationwide.

Written and directed by R. Balakrishnan; director of photography, P. C. Sreeram; edited by Anil Naidu; music by Ilaiyaraaja; art director, Sunil Babu; produced by Sunil Manchanda; released by Big Pictures. In Hindi, with English subtitles. Running time: 2 hours 13 minutes. This film is not rated.